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Mounds View City Council Page Seven <br /> Regular Meeting September 13 , 1993 <br /> Councilmember Blanchard stated that quarterly the City raises $18 , 000 and <br /> spend approximately $15, 000. This means that there still is something <br /> coming in on utility. It is not right to tax the residents twice. <br /> Councilmember Trude stated that this utility could be abandoned for one year <br /> and looked at again and the fee could be adjusted. <br /> Councilmember Blanchard stated that after one year, if it would become <br /> necessary, the utility could be reconsidered. Blanchard stated that the <br /> City is taxing the residents twice, once with the electric franchise and <br /> once on the streetlight utility. <br /> Councilmember Trude stated that she would like to ask Mr. Brager how wise it <br /> would be to spend down the fund and then reconsider it later. <br /> Mayor Linke stated that when this utility went in to effect the rates were <br /> set, now because of an excess, the rates appear to be too high and the rates <br /> could be adjusted if the street light utility were continued. Mayor Linke <br /> stated that perhaps the $14 . 00 rate is too high. Mayor Linke stated that he <br /> would not like to see the utility eliminated altogether. <br /> Councilmember Quick stated that, at the last Work Session, the Police <br /> Department was asked to relook at where there is a need for street lights in <br /> the City. Councilmember Quick stated that the Council should proceed <br /> prudently and look at the list of where street lights are needed. <br /> Councilmember Trude stated that the need for streetlights in the City is not <br /> totally a crime problem. The residents in the southwest portion of the City <br /> complained about adding this utility to their bill as they don't have street <br /> lights and are paying for them. <br /> Mayor Linke stated that each year in the newsletter there is an article on <br /> streetlights and how residents should go about getting that information to <br /> the City. <br /> Councilmember Quick statedthatevery year-- the -state-changes rules and we - - <br /> have to adjust every year. Councilmember Quick stated that the City should <br /> prudently move forward with street lights and evaluate the situation before <br /> making hasty decisions. <br /> Councilmember Blanchard stated again that this ordinance should be <br /> sunsetted. Councilmember Blanchard stated that this utility was to be a <br /> temporary fix until the franchise fee came into effect, now, with the <br /> franchise fee and utility the residents are being taxed twice. <br /> Mayor Linke stated that the City uses $125, 000 of the franchise fee for <br /> taxes. <br /> Orduno stated that the City is receiving $200, 000 per year assuming 1991 was <br /> • <br /> an average year. Orduno stated that in speaking to NSP, the fund will be <br /> down considerably because of the cool summer this year. The fee collected <br />